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Meet Debbie from the AMP Capital investments team

Debbie Alliston is involved in managing our customers' superannuation investments - she's the Head of Multi-Asset Portfolio Management at AMP Capital and here's how she's working to help you own tomorrow.

How do you help our customers in your job?

At AMP my job is to help our customers build their super balances.

I do this by deciding how we invest across particular asset classes to best meet the objectives of the funds that we manage For example, how much we invest in shares, fixed income, infrastructure (such as roads in developing countries) or property―to name a few asset classes―at any given time.

I’m always watching the markets and ensuring portfolios are best structured across different investments to create the best value for customers.

I aim to make sure our customers’ investments can grow but also that risk is minimised. Our customers have different goals so sometimes we’re investing to produce income for them and sometimes to build stable returns in excess of the inflation rate.

What investment skills drive success for our customers?

For an investment manager, experience is very important. Over time you become familiar with market cycles and understand how investment markets work. You learn to hold your nerve through the various cycles to make the best decisions for our customers.

It helps to have a calm demeanour and be level headed so you can rationalise and analyse information, and make effective decisions.

I studied hard to gain the technical and financial expertise which is also very important. I have a globally recognised qualification in finance and financial analysis.

What do you like about your job?

I really like the fact that I’m working to help AMP customers build their super balances so they can enjoy comfortable retirements.

I work with very smart people who love investment markets as much as I do. And I feel like my work is helping other people.

What gets you up in the morning?

Because of the different time zones we’re constantly connected to markets around the world―it’s really a 24/7 job. I do sleep! But the last thing I do at night and the first thing I do in the morning is check my phone to see what’s happening in the market.

Can you share some investment tips with our customers?

People can be focused on property but if you’re a young person―and even if you only have one thousand dollars―why not go into the share market and use that $1,000 to invest in a stock?

By investing early you’d be amazed how much you may accumulate over time. You’ll also gain experience in investing which can stand you in good stead and help you build wealth.

I’d recommend looking into investments if you haven’t already―there are equities (commonly called shares) or you can consider a managed diversified fund which will give you a broader exposure including hedged property, corporate fixed income and infrastructure and also alternative assets like private equity, direct property, to name a few.

Make sure you do your research because investing involves risk and different types of investments bring different risks. You need to find the right investments for you; ones that will help you reach your goals with the level of risk you’re comfortable with.

As you get older diversification becomes really important―that means not keeping all your eggs in one basket. You’ll generally have a less bumpy ride when you diversify.

And be sure to take an interest in your super. It’s never too early or too late. Understand exactly how your money’s being invested―have a say in what happens to your money. If you haven’t told your super fund how you’d like your money invested, your super will be invested in a generic MySuper option. Look into your super investment options today.

If you’d like more information about investing and your investment options, speak with your financial adviser or call AMP on 131 267 Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm and Saturday and Sunday between 9am and 5pm AEST.